Certificates presented for Board of Education Week

The California R-I School Board is presented with certificates of appreciation for National School Board Week, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Dwight Sanders, board members Paul Bloch, Kyle Wirts, Rhonda Meyer, Board President Steven Burger, board members Jay VanDieren, Darryl Elliott, Craig Ash, and secretary Suzy Oliver.
The California R-I School Board is presented with certificates of appreciation for National School Board Week, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Dwight Sanders, board members Paul Bloch, Kyle Wirts, Rhonda Meyer, Board President Steven Burger, board members Jay VanDieren, Darryl Elliott, Craig Ash, and secretary Suzy Oliver.

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California R-I Superintendent Dwight Sanders read a proclamation by Governor Jeremiah Nixon announcing Board of Education Week Jan. 26 - Feb. 1 at the regular monthly school board meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22. Following the reading of the proclamation, certificates of appreciation were presented to the board members.

Following a presentation by Christopher Hatton, he was presented with his CHS Diploma by School Board President Steven Burger. Hatton completed graduation requirements under the Missouri Option Program, including passing the GED with a high score.

Those who will be on the April 8 ballot for the school board election are Craig Ash, Andrew Korte, Kerri Tuttle, Philip Burger and Joe Kirby. The five candidates are vying for three open seats on the board.

The board also reviewed the ballot language to be used for the upcoming bond issue proposal, which will also be on the April ballot. The board approved extending the bidding period by two weeks. Two expected bids were not received before the deadline due to circumstances beyond control of the bidding companies. The bid received did not fall within the projected costs of the project and was rejected.

Elementary School Principal Daniel Williams reported enrollment of 596, an increase of one student.

He complimented music teacher Stacy Friedrich for the hard work of preparing the first grade musical, the third grade musical and the kindergarten nursery rhyme event. Feb. 5 is mid-term, Feb. 8 is a "Me and My Special Guy Dance," and Valentine parties are Feb. 13.

Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported enrollment at 297. The middle school cafeteria will be getting a "facelift" over the next few weeks. The serving line and computer scan stations are to be streamlined for easier access to food items and hopefully reduce congestion. The work will include a new power pole with network plugs dropped from the ceiling to accommodate the scan station locations. There will also be additions to help with "crowd control."

A middle school building-wide spelling bee is scheduled for Feb. 12.

High School Principal Mike Hight reported 399 students enrolled. There were 21 early graduates.

Hight reported the maintenance staff did a good job of making sure school was ready to go the second semester "under trying weather conditions."

He also commented on the good work by Bob Staton on the California basketball tournament, the work of Debbie Staton and Megan Jones managing the Hospitality Room and the support and donations of the community.

An effort is being made to increase the number of dual credit classes. Pre-registration is scheduled for history classes for freshman and sophomore classes Feb. 10-13, and juniors Feb. 19-20. Eighth grade pre-enrollment will be scheduled with the middle school at a later date.

The next regular monthly meeting will be Feb. 19.